Unbelievable Waves! New Smyrna Beach's BEST Kept Secret (Exploria Resorts)
Unbelievable Waves! New Smyrna Beach's BEST Kept Secret (Exploria Resorts) - A Brutally Honest Review (with all the SEO Stuff!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! I just got back from a stay at Unbelievable Waves (by Exploria Resorts) in New Smyrna Beach, and let me tell you, the name almost holds true. It's definitely a place with some… unbelievable aspects. And yeah, I'm going to spill ALL the tea, with all the SEO buzzwords sprinkled in for good measure. Prepare for a rollercoaster of opinions, because let’s be honest, no place is perfect, and I’m definitely not perfect.
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- Meta Description: Honest & Humorous review of Unbelievable Waves (Exploria Resorts) in New Smyrna Beach! Discover accessibility, dining, activities, cleanliness, and everything in between. Is it really the best kept secret? Find out!
(Deep Breath. Let's Dive In…)
Arrival & First Impressions: (Accessibility & A Bit of "WTF?")
The drive in? Gorgeous! The anticipation? Palpable. Unbelievable Waves is, in its own way, visually appealing. The exterior corridor setup felt a little… motel-ish at first, but hey, beachfront vibes, right? Now, the accessibility is a mixed bag. Wheelchair accessible areas are present, and the elevator is a godsend for those of us who prefer not to climb multiple flights of stairs after a day of sun and sand. BUT, and this is a HUGE "but," some of the walkways could use some widening. I noticed a few spots where maneuvering a wheelchair might be tricky. This is where the Facilities for disabled guests need a LOT more attention!
The Check-in/out [express] process was… well, not exactly express. Granted, the staff (mostly friendly, sometimes a little harried) were doing their best, and the Contactless check-in/out options were a plus. But it took a while, and I swear, I saw one poor soul get lost in the parking lot trying to find the right building number. (More on that later).
The Room: (Wi-Fi & The Pursuit of Comfort)
Okay, so, Wi-Fi [free] in all rooms? Thank. The. Lord. Essential. Internet access – wireless? Absolutely. Internet access – LAN? I didn’t even know what that was until I started this write-up, and now I'm convinced it's like a secret password to the digital gods. Seriously though, the Internet speeds were decent, which is crucial when you're trying to upload 500 pictures of your toes in the sand, or, you know, work.
The room itself? Decently appointed. Air conditioning? Check. Air conditioning in public area? Absolutely. Blackout curtains? YES! Crucial for those late-night (or early morning) beach naps. The bed… well, it was comfortable, but not earth-shattering. It could have been a little more "extra long" (Extra long bed) for my 6'4" frame. The slippers were a nice touch. The hair dryer worked, but the mirror in the bathroom could have been better lit. And the closet was definitely designed for a minimalist. My suitcase was overflowing in seconds. I did enjoy the amenities in the rooms, like the Coffee/tea maker.
The little things that make a difference:
- Additional toilet: A definite plus.
- Alarm clock: Never used it, but nice to have it.
- Bathrobes: A nice touch of luxury.
- Bathtub: Nice to relax in.
- Bedroom decorations: I had to add my own, as they were lacking.
- Complimentary tea: Always a favourite.
- Daily housekeeping: The room was always spotless after they cleaned.
- Desk: It made working on the laptop easy from my room, without having to sit on the bed.
- Fire extinguisher: Safety first!
- Free bottled water: Always a good thing!
- High floor: The view helped.
- In-room safe box: Peace of mind.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Good for families.
- Laptop workspace: Great for remote work, or just catching up on emails.
- Linens: Crisp and clean.
- Non-smoking: Important to me!
- On-demand movies: A lifesaver on a rainy afternoon.
- Private bathroom: Essential.
- Reading light: Good for reading in bed.
- Refrigerator: Handy for snacks and drinks.
- Safety/security feature: Everything felt secure.
- Satellite/cable channels: Plenty of viewing options.
- Scale: The true measure of vacation success (kidding, mostly).
- Seating area: Comfy place to relax.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Great for couples.
- Shower: Good water pressure.
- Smoke detector: Another important safety feature.
- Socket near the bed: Essential for charging phones.
- Sofa: Comfy for lounging.
- Soundproofing: Kept the noise down.
- Telephone: Useful.
- Toiletries: Nice quality.
- Towels: Plenty.
- Umbrella: Handy for showers, that pop up out of nowhere.
- Visual alarm: A great feature.
- Wake-up service: Didn't trust it.
Let's Talk Food! (Dining, Drinking, and My Ever-Expanding Waistline)
Alright, let's be real. Food is a HUGE deal. And Unbelievable Waves… well, they try. There are Restaurants, a Poolside bar, and a Snack bar. The Breakfast [buffet] was… adequate. The Buffet in restaurant options included the usual suspects: eggs, bacon, pastries, and a sad little fruit platter. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was a must. I'm a coffee fiend. The A la carte in restaurant offered a decent selection for lunch and dinner. I tried the fish tacos – they were solid. The Desserts in restaurant were tempting, but I’m trying to be good. The Vegetarian restaurant was available and I tried that as well.
The Poolside bar, though! Now that was something. The drinks were strong, the atmosphere was lively, and watching the sunset with a Mai Tai in hand… pure bliss. The Happy hour was a definite highlight.
Here's a slightly messy aside: I went a bit overboard on the poolside snacks. That quesadilla? Oh, yeah. And the fries? Don’t even ask. The convenience of it all…. sigh. Gotta love it. The Alternative meal arrangement was available, but I was too busy gorging on happy hour appetizers to ask.
Missing a bit: (Asian Cuisine and More!)
I didn't come across any Asian cuisine in restaurant, which was a bit of a bummer. And there weren’t a lot of options and I couldn’t find a Soup in restaurant.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: (Spa Day Dreams & Beach Bum Bliss)
Things to do, you ask? Well, hello! You're in New Smyrna Beach! The Swimming pool [outdoor] is the star. The Pool with view is exactly that. It's gorgeous. And the Beachfront location is a game-changer. The Swimming pool was a dream come true.
Spa services? Yes! I indulged. The Massage was heavenly. I was so relaxed I nearly drooled. The Sauna, the Steamroom, and the Jacuzzi: heaven! Body scrub? Yes. Body wrap? Yes. Foot bath? Yes! I am now practically a new woman… or at least one who smells faintly of lavender. I do love a good spa day, for sure! The Spa/sauna was fantastic..
**The *Fitness center* was… well, it existed. I used the Gym/fitness center. It wasn't huge, but it had enough equipment to get a decent workout in. I spent more time in the pool, and less time in the Fitness center, I won't lie.
Cleanliness & Safety: (Hand Sanitizer and Peace of Mind)
Regarding Cleanliness and safety, Unbelievable Waves gets a solid B+. They've clearly put a lot of effort into it. There was Hand sanitizer everywhere
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups. We're going to New Smyrna Beach. Exploria Resorts. Waves. I have a feeling this is gonna be… something. Let's see if I can keep it together enough to actually make this trip happen, and not end up curled in a fetal position under the breakfast buffet table. Here's the highly unorganized itinerary, brought to you by yours truly:
New Smyrna Beach: A Messy, Wonderful Adventure (Hopefully!)
Day 1: The Arrival (and the Impending Doom of Traffic)
- Morning (ish): The Great Escape (from home). Pack, pack, pack. Did I remember my toothbrush? Ugh, the kids. More packing. The existential dread of traveling with small humans. Okay, breathe. Airport shuttle. Pray to the travel gods for no delays.
- Afternoon: Finally landed! Assuming we haven't been rerouted to… Nebraska. (I swear that's happened before). Car rental – the negotiation. The paperwork. This alone could be a whole separate disaster movie. The GPS. Does anyone actually understand how those things work? Then comes the drive. I'm already anticipating the Florida traffic. Please, please, PLEASE let me not have to witness another accident this trip.
- Late Afternoon: Arrive at Exploria Resorts. Waves… Oh, yes, Waves. Check-in. Hopefully, our room is NOT next to the ice machine. Because, sweet merciful heavens, that rhythmic thunk-thunk-thunk will haunt my dreams. Settle in. Unpack. (Or attempt to). The initial assessment of the room: "Clean enough." That's the goal, right?
- Evening: Unpack, then, quick and dirty. Poolside cocktails. The first sip… Ahhhh, vacation. Kid wrangling commences. Dinner – gotta find a restaurant that isn't too loud, has something the kids will eat, and doesn't require a second mortgage. Fingers crossed. Early bedtime (for the kids, anyway). I will be checking my email in the bathroom, as its the only time I can enjoy a quiet moment.
Day 2: Beach Day (and the Existential Question of Sunscreen)
- Morning: Wake up (at the crack of dawn, naturally). Coffee. Caffeine is life. Beach prep. The sunscreen war. (Seriously, who invented this stuff? And why is it always SO sticky???). Pack the beach bag – towels, toys, snacks, more snacks, a first-aid kit (because, kids). The walk to the beach. The sandy-footed chaos begins.
- Mid-Morning: Beach time! Build sandcastles (that will inevitably be destroyed by waves), splash in the ocean (that will inevitably get me wet), collect seashells (that will eventually end up in the bottom of a drawer, never to see the light of day again).
- Lunch: Beachside picnic (or grab a quick bite at a nearby cafe). Sand in everything. Everywhere. Eat the food, try not to be eaten by the sand, and maybe find a quiet spot where people are doing their thing and leave you alone to do yours.
- Afternoon: Beach debrief: Post-beach chill. Nap maybe? (Ha!). Maybe go for a walk along the beach. Watch the surfers. Observe the ridiculous people who think they look cool, but really don't.
- Evening: Dinner. Maybe try that seafood place I saw driving in. More kid wrangling. Some quiet time (if the gods are in my favor). Maybe a walk on the beach to watch the sunset (and contemplate the meaning of life, naturally).
Day 3: The Search for Adventure (and the Quest for Decent Coffee)
- Morning: Hit up the coffee shop. The crucial life ingredient! Explore New Smyrna Beach. Visit the shops. Check out the art galleries. Maybe even go surfing (highly doubtful). I will definitely drive around this beach, to experience the lifestyle in the actual place.
- Mid-Morning: The Lagoon, The canal. See if we can spot dolphins.
- Lunch: Try a casual diner. Food, and coffee again! This place is a must for vacationers.
- Afternoon: More beach time (because that's the point, right?). Or maybe explore further down the coast. Or maybe just collapse in the hotel room and watch TV. (No judgment here).
- Evening: Dinner out. Maybe a fancy restaurant. I'll have a drink or two. Maybe a third. I might need a drink or two.
Day 4: Watersports and Relaxation (Maybe, Just Maybe)
- Morning: Watersports? (I'm thinking kayaking. Or maybe paddleboarding. Or maybe just watching someone else do watersports.) Let's see what the schedule actually says.
- Mid-Morning: Swimming. The kids. The pool. The sunscreen. It's all gonna be a repeat of Day 2.
- Lunch: More food. More chaos.
- Afternoon: Relaxation. You know, that mythical state of being? Maybe a massage at the resort spa. Or a nap. Or just sitting on the balcony, doing absolutely nothing. Pure. Bliss.
- Evening: Pack, pack, pack. (Again. Why is there so much stuff?!). Dinner. Early bedtime (for everyone).
Day 5: Departure (and the Bitter Sweetness of Leaving)
- Morning: Pack, pack, pack. Last-minute scramble for lost socks, misplaced toys, and rogue seashells. Check out. Say goodbye to the nice people at the front desk.
- Mid-Morning: Drive to the airport. Traffic. Traffic. Traffic. Pray for no delays.
- Afternoon: The security line. The flight. The landing. The long, arduous drive home.
- Evening: Home. Unpack. Laundry. Collapse. And start planning the next trip… because, honestly, even the messy, chaotic trips are still better than real life.
Post-Trip Reflection (Because Who Am I Kidding?):
- Did I get a tan? (Probably not. I'm a pasty person).
- Did the kids behave? (Doubtful. It's their job to test the limits).
- Did I relax? (Maybe for a few precious moments… between packing, meltdowns, and sunscreen applications).
- Would I go back? (Absolutely. Even with the mess. Even with the chaos. Because somewhere in the madness, there's always a tiny bit of magic).
And that, my friends, is the plan. Wish me luck. I'm going to need it.
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Unbelievable Waves! New Smyrna Beach's BEST Kept Secret (Exploria Resorts) - Seriously? Maybe...
Okay, okay, spill the beans. Is New Smyrna really THAT much better than, say, Daytona? My kids are already chanting for the boardwalk...
The beach, I hate to admit it, is wider, cleaner... the waves are apparently a surfer's dream, though I wouldn't know a *hang ten* from a *hangry ten-year-old*. Plus, Exploria Resorts' pool area? Forget about the boardwalk. It's a whole other level of "let's just RELAX and have a damn margarita." My kids, the boardwalk-obsessed little monsters, actually *begged* to stay at the pool after the first day. Mind. Blown.
But... and it's a big but... be prepared to drive to the *actual* fun stuff. The boardwalk experience is, like, an hour north? And yeah, the parking near the beach can be a total *nightmare* in peak season. So, yeah. Is it "better"? Depends on what you're looking for. For a slightly more relaxed, less-circus-like experience? Absolutely. For a scream-filled boardwalk bonanza? Daytona might be your jam. Just don't say I didn't warn you about the… *lack* of rollercoasters.
Exploria Resorts, huh? What's the lowdown? Worth the extra cash? (Because, you know, budget and all…)
My biggest surprise? The service. Like, actually good. One day, our AC decided to take a vacation at the worst possible moment (hello, Florida heat!). I called the front desk fully expecting a battle, and you know what? Within *minutes*, someone was there fixing it. They even comped a bottle of wine for our troubles. WINNING. (Even though I was probably complaining loudly in my robe).
Downsides? Uhm… the "sales pitch." You know, the timeshare thing. They’re *definitely* going to try and get you to sign up. Be prepared. It's like a friendly-but-persistent relative at a family gathering. Just smile, be polite, and remember, you are the boss. *You* make the choices. And yes, they do sometimes run those discounts if you listen, but remember why you are there in the first place.
Unbelievable Waves... Really? I'm not a surfer. Is it just for the pros?
And the best part? The beach itself! It’s wide, sandy, and the waves are good enough to keep you entertained. The water is beautiful. I'm starting to ramble... but the point is, even if you're not a surfer, you can still enjoy the spectacle and have your own fun along the shoreline. Just be careful because they are sometimes sharks (I heard).
Okay, okay, let's talk food. What are the dining options like? Anything good besides the hotel bar?
There's this amazing little seafood shack right on the water called "The Grille". Fresh, local, and the view is unbeatable. I *highly* recommend the fish tacos. Seriously, *go there*. Also, there's a great Italian place a little ways inland, "Cici's." Don't judge the name! The food's fantastic!
And don’t sleep on the local ice cream shops! I mean, duh, it's vacation, right? There’s one just down the street called “Pops”... the kids loved the bright colors and flavors and I may or may not have eaten a whole cone by myself one night. Don't. Judge. Me.
What about the crowds? Is this place *swamped* during peak season? I hate crowds.
And if you're smart, go in the off-season (if possible). Weather's still gorgeous, rates are lower, and you practically have the beach to yourself. Just be warned that hurricane season can... *potentially* ruin your plans. That's a risk with any Florida trip. But hey, at least you will be alone on the beach!
Be honest. Did you actually have a *good* time? Did you go back?
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